Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 368 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks

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